#OpportunityAlert! The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship is now accepting applications for the 2027 cohort! Join a global community of emerging African entrepreneurs & gain the support to turn ideas into impact. #YoungAfrica Apply today: queensu.qualtrics.com/jfe/fo…

Applications are still open for the 2027 Jim Leech @MastercardFdn Fellowship on Entrepreneurship, an eight-month programme for African students and recent graduates seeking to develop entrepreneurial skills and build ventures with social and financial impact. The fellowship is delivered by the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre at Queen's University (@ddqic). 🌍 Who can apply? Applicants must be citizens of an African country and either currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution or have graduated within the past five years. 💡 The programme provides online entrepreneurship training, virtual coaching, venture-development support and access to a network of mentors and fellow entrepreneurs. 📅 Deadline: December 1, 2026 🔗 Find Details Here: menterprise.africa/opportuni…

30 days left! Applications for the 2027 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship are closing soon. Ready to turn your idea into action or grow your venture? Now is the time to apply! #YoungAfricaWorks #EntrepreneurialMindset

Since 2012, the Dunin-Deshpande Queen's Innovation Centre (@DDQIC) has: ✅ Empowered 510+ changemakers ✅ Helped launch 145+ startups ✅ Supported students, faculty, staff and community members in developing innovative ventures This year, through the Queen's Research Commercialization Fellowship, Queen's IPON-supported program, participants gained valuable intellectual property and commercialization knowledge to help transform research-driven innovations into real-world impact. Supported by IPON funding, the program expanded opportunities for highly skilled researchers and business students while accelerating commercialization pathways, with 15 participants each receiving $12,000 to advance their research and innovation projects. Queen's provided tailored guidance on intellectual property protection, management, and strategy to ensure that participants' inventions and innovations were effectively safeguarded and leveraged throughout the program. Participants could also count on advisory services on commercialization pathways and funding opportunities, and connections across the innovation ecosystem network to support their entrepreneurship journey. 🔗 Learn more about Queen’s Research Commercialization Fellowship: queensu.ca/innovationcentre/… 🔗 Learn more about how we support postsecondary institutions: ip-ontario.ca/postsecondary-… @QueensInnovates

#EventSpotlight 97% of our program participants have told us they would recommend the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship to other entrepreneurs.

I feel truly blessed whenever I share a room with young people from diverse backgrounds striving to drive positive change. We saw a problem and decided to address it. Thank you @ddqic and @queensu 🇨🇦 for your recognition and support! #jlmcff #ddqic #mcf #entrepreneurship #youth

Join our upcoming info session to learn about the Fellowship, eligibility, application process, and what selected fellows can expect. Date: October 7,026 Register here: queensu.zoom.us/meeting/regi…

The 2027 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship for young African students & recent graduates. @MastercardFdn @ddqic @queensu #Africa tinyurl.com/2t4jc74c

1/2 Our approach during the August 29th plastic pollution awareness-raising in Susan’s Bay by the @bcrs_project team was simple: 🙍🏾‍♀️🙍🏾‍♂️ Engaged community women and youth on plastic pollution’s ecological impact and sustainable management. 👵👴 Spread the message among the old

What a celebration! The 2026 DDQIC African Initiatives Final Pitch competition brought together 1,800+ people across 18 watch parties in Africa & Canada to celebrate the top 15 Finalists! Congratulations to the award winners! Read more : lnkd.in/p/dKvH5-rS

1/4 @r360si took the second (2nd) position out of the 15 finalists in the 2026 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship final pitch competition, organized today by @queensu, @ddqic & @MastercardFdn; thus, receiving funding to continue creating impacts.

At 10:00 a.m. EDT, we go live across 18 locations worldwide, with 1,800+ people joining to celebrate African innovation. Attending in person? Seating & check-in start at 9:00 a.m. Arrive early to get settled! #YoungAfricaWorks

Live in Mbarara, Uganda📌

Having a business idea you would love to elevate to the next level? Learn how to by connecting with the like mind ,sign up to attend the African Initiatives Entrepreneurship Fellowship pitch competitions watch party next week Thur Aug 27th 26 @ddqic eventbrite.com/e/ddqic-afric…

Sometimes, the opportunities that matter most are the ones that challenge you to take something you’ve been building and ask, “How much further can this go?” I’m grateful to share that I’ve been selected for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship – Elevate Business Solutions Cohort, delivered by the @ddqic in partnership with the @MastercardFdn Another chapter. Another classroom. Another opportunity to build. And this time, I’m especially interested in what happens when an idea meets the right tools, people and ecosystem. 🌍 Grateful for the opportunity. Ready for the work. #JimLeechFellowship #MastercardFoundation #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #AfricanEntrepreneurs #YouthLeadership

It has been 8 months in the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship. On the 27th of this month, we will officially conclude the fellowship with an incredible pitch event. Excited to be representing @r360si ♻️🧱🌱🌍 and 🇸🇱. #jlmcff #r360si #mastercard

17 days to go! The African Initiatives Final Pitch Competition is almost here. 15 finalists, $20,000 CAD in non-dilutive seed funding, and watch parties across Africa and Canada. Tickets are selling fast. Reserve your spot: eventbrite.com/e/ddqic-afric…

We’re excited to invite our alumni, entrepreneurs, mentors, program participants & the public to the DDQIC African Initiatives 2026 Final Pitch Competition! Watch Africa’s next generation of innovators pitch their ventures for a pool prize of 20,000 CADin seed funding. #Startups

It was great hosting a team from Canada🇨🇦 from the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre at Queen's University @ddqic . We had meaningful conversations around sustainability and positive global impact #Innovation #Sustainability #GreenBuilding #SouthAfrica #Trending #LolaGreenZA

Two Fellows from the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship won the best overall pitch award at the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat of Uganda. We are proud of our program participants and alumni. Big Congrats 🎉 #YoungAfricaWorks